God’s Strength is Made Perfect in Weakness

Daily Devotional – Monday, October 10, 2022
…My strength is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)

How can weakness perfect strength? From a human point of view, weakness cannot coexist with strength and perfection. From a divine perspective, though, nothing is impossible with God. Two examples from the Bible will suffice.

When a group of slaves left Egypt, they had no military expertise or functional army. To reach Canaan, the Israelites had to overcome well-armed nations. Left to their own military might, the children of Jacob were dead on arrival.

God Perfects His Strength in Jericho

One way God revealed His power through weakness was in the fall of the fortified city of Jericho. On the seventh day of marching around Jericho, the city fell, without a single arrow or spear from the Israelites. (Joshua chapter 6).

Similarly, after Judge Gideon had gathered 32,000 men to fight hundreds of thousands of Midianites, God told him: “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” (Judges 7:2-3).

The Power of a Small Army

Consequently, Gideon asked those who were afraid to return home. Twenty-two thousand volunteers departed. Still, God stated that the remaining 10,000 men were also too many. Finally, the number reduced to 300 warriors, through whom God gave Israel victory. Thus, God revealed His strength through human weakness.

In both instances, the human beings involved could not gain victory by their own strength. They were weak and inadequate. Only by aligning themselves with God and relying on Him fully did they prevail over their enemies.

Grace Covers Human Weaknesses

Their experiences mirror that of Apostle Paul. At a time when the man of God was undergoing chronic personal challenges, God told Him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Often, God begins to work mightily in our lives when we acknowledge our helplessness. His strength emerges and grows when our weaknesses weigh upon us heavily. The man or woman who comes to the end of his strength and reaches out to God will find strength to face any challenges in life.

My Strength is Made Perfect in Weakness

Today, if you feel weak, desperate, helpless, forsaken and at the end of your tether, affirm with Paul, “…most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Allow God’s to perfect His strength through your weakness.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, perfect your strength through my weakness.